Pennsylvania Homeschooling Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Pennsylvania is known for having one of the most robust and detailed sets of homeschooling laws in the United States. While the requirements are high, they provide a clear, structured path for families to follow. This guide explains the legal landscape for home education in the Commonwealth.

Compulsory Attendance

In Pennsylvania, children are required to receive a formal education starting at age 6 and must continue until they reach age 18 or graduate from high school. This is a recent change (effective 2020), as the starting age was previously 8.

The Primary Pathway: Home Education Program (Act 169)

Most families in Pennsylvania choose the ‘Home Education Program’ pathway. This option allows parents total control over curriculum while maintaining accountability through the local school district.

1. The Notarized Affidavit

Before you begin and by August 1st every year thereafter, you must file a notarized affidavit with the superintendent of your local school district. The affidavit must state that the child is receiving instruction in the required subjects for the mandated amount of time and that the supervisor of the program has a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must also attach a list of your ‘Educational Objectives’ for the year.

2. Instructional Requirements

Pennsylvania law specifies that you must provide:

• 180 days of instruction OR
• 900 hours for elementary students (K-6)
• 990 hours for secondary students (7-12)

3. Required Subjects

• Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), Math, Science, Geography, History (US and PA), Civics, Safety/Fire Prevention, Health, Physical Education, Music, and Art.
• Secondary: All elementary subjects plus Economics, Biology, Chemistry, and foreign language.

4. Portfolios and Evaluations

You must maintain a portfolio for each student. This portfolio must include a log of reading materials, samples of the student’s work, and—for grades 3, 5, and 8—the results of a nationally normed standardized test.

At the end of the year, you must take this portfolio to a qualified evaluator (usually a certified teacher or a licensed psychologist). The evaluator interviews the child and reviews the portfolio to determine if ‘appropriate education’ is occurring. You must then submit the evaluator’s signed certification letter to your school district by June 30th.

The Alternative: Private Tutor Pathway

If you are a Pennsylvania-certified teacher (or hire one), you can operate under the Private Tutor law. This pathway requires the tutor to submit a copy of their certification and criminal background checks to the district. The benefit of this pathway is that it does not require the annual portfolio evaluation or the standardized testing required under Act 169.

ESA and Financial Support

Currently, Pennsylvania does not offer an Education Savings Account (ESA). Homeschooling families are responsible for all costs associated with their child’s education, including curriculum, testing, and evaluation fees. Some families may access dual enrollment in local community colleges, but this is often at the family’s expense.

Special Education

If a child has been identified as needing special education services (excluding gifted-only services), the educational objectives in the affidavit must be reviewed and approved by a licensed psychologist or a certified special education teacher before being submitted to the district.

Summary of Key Deadlines

• August 1st: Deadline to file the notarized affidavit and objectives for the upcoming year.
• June 30th: Deadline to submit the evaluator’s certification of compliance to the school district.

For more detailed information, families should consult the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s official website or seek guidance from legal advocacy groups like HSLDA.